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Wildlife Relocation: Not a Solution

Relocation is an ineffective, inhumane and ecologically destructive method for dealing with urban wildlife.

One of the most disturbing trends in urban wildlife management is
the increasing reliance upon relocation of wildlife to resolve
human-wildlife conflicts. Relocation is commonly perceived as a quick,
effective and humane solution. It is, in fact, none of the above. In
the vast majority of cases, relocation is an ineffective, inhumane and
ecologically destructive method for dealing with urban wildlife.

Most
wildlife relocation goes undocumented. However, using statistics
compiled by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW),
information provided by local trappers, as well as our own first-hand
experiences, Audubon Society of Portland estimates that a minimum of
5,000 urban animals are relocated around Portland each year.

The
reasons behind relocation range from misguided attempts to "give an
animal a better home" to concerns about protecting human safety and/or
property. The vast majority, however, can be described as "relocations
of convenience." These are situations in which wildlife is perceived as
causing a minor disruption on someone's property (tipping over garbage
cans, eating out of pet food bowls, denning under houses, etc.). These
are also situations, which with a little time, energy, and usually with
significantly less cost than is incurred by relocation, could be
resolved without removing the wild animal.

Why does Audubon Society of Portland oppose relocation?

Relocation is usually ineffective.
A new animal will usually quickly replace the one which was relocated.
Effective long-term solutions can only be achieved by looking at what
is attracting the animal and then removing the attractant (covering
garbage cans, feeding pets indoors, sealing up potential denning areas
in attics or under porches, etc.)

Relocation is often inhumane.
Many animals do not survive relocation. Each year, the Wildlife Care
Center is brought hundreds of animals that have become injured or
orphaned because of trapping. Animals that are relocated have to fight
for new territories and are often injured or killed in the process.
Relocation of a mother and young is almost always futile, since she
must not only fight for territory, but also find food, shelter, and a
safe place to raise her young. Juveniles are most likely abandoned or
killed under these circumstances.

Relocation is biologically unsound.
Relocation of wildlife to new territories can disrupt the wildlife that
is already living there. It also is a quick way to spread disease among
wildlife populations. In many instances, sick animals are brought to
our care center in cages side by side with animals that are about to be
relocated.

The fact is, when we eliminate habitat,
we eliminate the animals that dwell in that habitat. Relocating more
and more animals into smaller and smaller spaces cannot mitigate this
unpleasant fact.

Writing in 1997, the Humane Society of the
United States called relocation "one of the least understood and most
problematic wildlife 'control' practices we know of. Not only might the
trapping and movement of the animal cause it harm or even bring it
death, but the activity might adversely affect other wild animals as
well."

Those truly concerned with preserving and protecting
wildlife need to recognize that coexisting with wildlife is not always
convenient. It may require an alteration of habits, or an investment of
time, energy, or perhaps even money. A good place to begin is by doing
some proactive problem prevention. Feed pets indoors, tightly cover
garbage cans and other unnatural food sources, seal-up potential
denning sites within your home, and never approach or do anything to
tame down a wild animal. For these efforts to be truly successful you
must talk with your neighbors about doing the same.

If problems
do occur, call the Audubon Society of Portland at 503-292-6855 or call your local
wildlife agency and ask for solutions other than relocation of the wild
animal. There are whole books devoted to this topic and many of the
solutions are easy and effective*.

For those who see relocation
as the only alternative, it is important to know that anyone performing
relocation of wildlife in Oregon must have a permit from the Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife. Ask to see this permit prior to hiring
anyone and report anyone who does not possess such a permit. ODFW
can be reached at 503-657-2000. This will prevent the worst abuses of
this system. However, those who cannot or will not find a local
solution to their wildlife concerns must still accept that relocating a
wild animal and destroying a wild animal may well be synonymous
endeavors.

*"Wildlife Neighbors: The Humane Approach to Living with Wildlife,"
written by the Humane Society of the United States, is an excellent and
commonly available resource ($16.95 at the Audubon Society of Portland
Nature Store, 503-292-9453).

Audubon Society of Portland promotes the understanding, enjoyment, and protection of native birds, other wildlife,
and their habitats. We focus on our local community and the Pacific Northwest.
Inspiring people to love & protect nature since 1902.

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